Detector mechanism for knitting machines



@ee. 3, EQEGT R G. JENNlNG$ DETECTOR MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Oct. 8, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet l Dean. 9, 1939. R. G JENNINGS DETECTOR MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Oct. 8, '1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 DETECTOR MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Patented Dec. 9, 19 30 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROBERT G. JENNINGE, OF ELMIRA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE R. JENNTNGS YARN CLEANING MACHINE CO. INC., OF TalIIbMIIRhA,v NEW YORK, A CORPORATION 01 NEW YORK DETECTOR MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Application filed Dctober 8, 1928. Serial No. 811,070.

My invention relates to detector mechanism for knitting machines, such as may be used in connection with a visible or audible alarm or with a stop mechanism and it isan object of the invention to provide means of this character which shall effectively indicate a rundown or a split in the fabric. Such defects are caused by a broken or defective needle, and the hole detector will spot this place and will ring a bell or show a light or the like until the operator stops the machine, or the action of the detector may stop the machine if desired.

This enables the operator to run more machines than usual, as he does not have to watch the cloth so closely for run-downs and splits.

Referring to the drawings, which are made a part of this application, and in which similar reference characters indicate similar parts K Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the machine illustrating the use of my device;

Fig. 2 is a detail elevation on a large scale;

Fig. 3, a partial section; and

Fig. 4 a bottom plan of parts shown in 3.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1, indicates generally a circular ribber of conventional type having a base plate 10 on which brackets 11- are supported, which brackets carry a ring 12 having a flange 12 either integral therewith or carried thereby closely adjacent to the outer surface of the tubular fabric being formed by the machine.

An expander ring inside the tube serves to hold the cloth close to ring 12 and mechanisms carried thereby. The expander ring is supported from the dial by one or more brackets 13 and in the form here shown consists of two rings 14 and 15 connected by U-shaped elements 16. The uppermost ring 14 coacts with devices shown in my co-pendin application, Serial No. 293,474, filed on Ju y 17th, 1928. The lower ring coacts with detector mechanism now to be described, and in the form of the invention here illustrated is stationary, the machine illustratedhaving a stationary dial and cylinder With revolving cams for operating the needles.

At the under side of the ring 12, I have se- 50 cured to said ring a bracket 17 pivoted on a screw 18, the screw either en aging the ring directly, or being operated therefrom by'an angular slip of metal 19, of which there are several spaced about the ring 12, the bracket 17 carrying a plate 20 having secured thereto a number of hole detectors 21, here shown as in the form of short lengths of spring wire with a. coil near the end which is attached to plate 20 and with a bent portion for contacting with the fabric.

Each of the bent free ends of the springs engages between two outer wales of the fabric and on occurrence of a split cr run-down, such free end will be permitted to contact with the outer face of ring 15 as in the position indi- 65, cated at 21 in Figs. 3 and 4. For holding the bracket 17 and plate 20 in os'ition to cause the detectors to engage the abric I have indicated an angular strip of spring metal 23 secured to each plate 20 and engaging the adjacent post 19 to hold the plate implace. It will be seen in Fig. 4 that this spring will hold the parts either in position for contacting with the fabric (or with the rin 15 in case of a hole in the fabric), or it W111 hold the parts in the dotted line position of Fig. 4 out of engagement with the fabric.

It is intended that there shall be as many detectors as there are spaces between cylinder needle wales, the detectors engaging in the sinker wales of a plain fabric. or in the s aces between cylinder needle wales in a rib fa ric; i. e.,'in the wales formed by the dial needles.

The plates 20 may be made of any convenient length and the detectors at adjacent ends of adjacent plates will be so located as not to leave any space unguarded. It will be understood that other means of supporting the plates are within the scope of my invention.

The supports 11 are insulated from the base plate as indicated at 27 in Fig. 1, and the ring 15 forms one end of a circuit of which the detectors 21 form the other end. As one possible arrangement of such a circuit I have 95 illustrated a battery or other source of power at 28, this being connected to the bell 29 by a conductor 30, which is connected to the frame of the machine by another conductor 31. The battery is connected to the spring 100 detent 23 b a conductor 32 (Figs. 1 and 2) and it will evident that on occurrence of a hole the corresponding detector will assume the position indicated at 22 in Fig. 3, closing the circuit and ringini, the bell or actuating a stop mechanism or ighting a signal light in the circuit.

A counter for actuation each time a hole occurs is preferably mounted on the machine and provided with a ratchet actuated by electromagnetic means, each time the circuit is closed. Such a counter is a great convenience in the handling of the goods, as it permits application to the goods of tags showm the number of holes per package or bolt of c 0th.;

This tag conveys information to the cutter as to the number of defective, places, or it may indicate an entire bolt as material for seconds.'

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in my device without departing from the spirit of my invention, and therefore, I do not limit m self to what is shown in the drawin and escribed in the specification, but on y as indicated in the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a circular knitting machine having a knitting cylinder, hole detecting mechanism including an expander rin approximating the diameter of said cylin er and engaging the innerface of the cloth, an arcuate support outside the cloth, a series of resilient elements depending from said support to a point opposite said ring and spaced to engage between successive adj acent cylinder needle wales, and an electric circuit connecting said ring and said elements.

2. In a circular knitting machine having a knitting cylinder, hole detecting mechanism including an expander ring approximating the diameter of said cylinder and engaging the inner face of the cloth, an arcuate support outside the cloth, a series of resilient elements depending from said support to a point opposite said rin and spaced to engage between successive a jacent cylinder needle wales, an electric circuit connecting said ring and said elements, and a signal in said circuit.

3. In a circular knitting machine having a knitting cylinder, hole detecting mechanism including an expander ring approximating the diameter of said cylinder and engaging the inner face of the cloth, an arcuate support outsidelthe cloth, movable into and out of an operative position a series of resilient elements depending from said support to a point opposite said ring and spaced to engage between successive adjacent cylinder needle wales, an electric circuit connecting said ring and said elements, and holding means for said arcuate support effective to retain same in any position to which it may be moved,

said holding means forming apart of said circuit. a

4. In a circular knitting machine having a knittingcylinder, hole detecting mechanism including an expander rin approximating the diameter of said cylinc er and engaging the i er face of the cloth, an arcuate su port 0 tside the cloth, a series of resilient e e-- ments depending from said su port to a point opposite said ring and space to'engage between successive adjacent cylinder needle wales, an electric circuit connecting said ring and said elements, and a signal 'in said cir-' cuit, said signal being'actuated by said resilient elements on fabric failure.

5. In a circular knitting machine having a knitting cylinder, hole detecting mechanism including an expanderring approximating the diameter of said cylinder and engaging the inner face of the cloth, an arcuate support movable into and out of an operative position outside the cloth, a series of resilient elements depending from said su port to a point opposite said ring and spaced to engage between successive' adjacent cylinder needle wales, an electric circuit connecting said ring andsaid elements, and an audible signal in said circuit, said signal being actuated by said resilient elements on fabric failure.

6. In a circular knitting machine having a knitting cylinder, hole detecting mechanism including an expander ring approximating the diameter of said cylinder and engag ing the inner face of the cloth, a set of independently movable arcuate supports arranged in a circle about the cloth, resilient elements depending from said support to a point opposite said ring and spaced to engage between successive adjacent cylinder needle wales, an electric circuit connecting said ring and said elements, and a signal in said circuit.

7. In a circular knitting machine having a knitting cylinder, hole detecting mechanism including an ex ander rin approximating the diameter of said cylinder and engagingthe inner face of the cloth, a set of independently movable arcuate support-s arran ed in a circle about the cloth, catches hol ing the supports in position, resilient elements depending from said supports to a point opposite said ring and spaced to engage between successive adjacent cylinder needle wales, anelectric circuit connecting said ring and said elements, and a signal in said circuit.

8. In a circular knitting machine having a knitting cylinder, hole detecting mechanism including an expander ring approximating the diameter'of said cylinder and engaging the inner face of the cloth and a series of independent feelers supported in said machine I no III

, operative posltlon, a series of resilient elea knitting cylinder, hole detecting mechanism including an expander rin approximating "the diameter of said cylin er engaging the inner face of the cloth, an arcuate support outside the cloth movable into and out of an ments depending from said support to a point Opposite said ring and spaced to engage between successive adjacent cylinder needle wales, and holding means for said arcuate support effective to retain same in any position to which it may be moved.

10. In a circular knitting machine, having a knitting cylinder, hole detecting mechanism including an expander ring approximating the diameter of said cylinder engaging the inner face of the cloth, an arcuate support outside the cloth. movable into and out of'an operative position, a series of resilient elements depending from said support to a point opposite said ring and spaced to engage between successive, adjacent cylinder needle wales, an electric circuit connecting said ring and said elements, and means formin a part of said electric circuit connecting said support and the machine.

1]. In a circular knitting machine, having a knitting cylinder, hole detecting mechanism including an expander ring approximating the diameter of said cylinder engaging the inner face of the cloth, an arcuate support outside the cloth movable into and out of an operative position, a series oi resilient elements depending from said support to a point opposite said ring and spaced to engage between successive adjacent cylinder needle wales, anelectric circuit connecting said ring and said elements, and holding means for said arcuate support effective to retain same in any position to which it may be moved, and an audible signal in said circuit operable by said resilient elements on fabric failure. I

12, In a circular knitting machine, having a knitting cylinder, hole detecting mechanism including an expander ring approximating the diameter of said cylinder engag-- ing the inner-face of the cloth, an arcuate support outside the cloth movable into and out of an operative position, a series of resilient elements depending from said support to a point opposite said ring and spaced 'to engage between successive adjacent cylinder needle wales, an electric circuit connecting said ring and said elements, and holding means for said arcuate support effective to retain same in any position to which it may be moved, and an audible signal in said circuit operable by said resilient elements on fabric failure, said holding means forming a part of said circuit.

13. In a circular knitting machine, having a knitting cylinder, hole detecting mechanism including an expander ring approximating the diameter of said cylinder engagin the ihner face of the cloth, a support outsi e the cloth and forming with said expander ring a guide through which the cloth passes, an arcuate member mounted on said support to a point opposite said ring, a series of resilient elements depending from said arcuate member and spaced to engage between successive adjacent cylinder needle wales, said resilient members functioning as feelers .to detect holes in the cloth as it passes thereby. v

14. In a circular knitting machine, having a knitting cylinder, .hole detecting mechanism including an expander ring approximating the diameter of said cylinder engaging the inner face of the cloth, a support outside the cloth and forming with said expandenring a guide through which the cloth passes, an arcuate member mounted on said support, a series of resilient elements depending from saidcarcuate member to a point opposite said ring and spaced to engage between successive adjacent cylinder needle wales, said resilient members functioning as feelers to detect holes in the cloth as, it passes thereby, and an electric circuit connecting said expander ring and said elements.

15. In a circular knitting machine, having a knitting cylinder, hole detecting mechanism including an expander ring approximating the diameter of said cylinder engaging the inner face of the cloth, asupport outside the cloth and forming with said expander ring a guide through which the cloth passes, an arcuate member mounted on said support, a series of resilient elements depending from said arcuate member to a point opposite said ring and spaced to engage between successive adjacent cylinder needle wales, said resilient members functioning as feelers to detect holes in the cloth as it passes thereby, and an electric circuit connecting said expander ring and said elements, and a signal in said circuit operable by said elements upon detection of a hole in the fabric.

16. In a circular knitting machine, having a knitting cylinder, hole detecting mechanism including an expander ring approximating the diameter of said cylinder engaging the inner face of the cloth, a support outside the cloth and forming with said expander ring a guide through which the cloth passes, an arcuate member mounted on said support and movable relative thereto into and out of operative position, a series ofresilient elements depending from said arcuate member to a point opposite said ring and spaced to engage between successive adjacent cylinder needle wales, said resilient members functioning as feelers to detect holes in the cloth as it passes thereby.

17. In a circular knitting having a knitting cylinder, hole detecting mechanism including an expander ring approximating the diameter of said cylinder machine.

engaging the inner face of the cloth, a support outside the cloth and forming with said expander ring a guide through which the cloth passes, an arcuate member mounted on said sugport and movable relative thereto into an out of operative position, a series of resilient elements depending from said arcuate member to a point opposite said ring and spaced to engage between successive adjacent cylinder needle wales, and

holding means for said arcuate member effective to retain same in any position to which it may be moved, said resilient members functioning as feelers to detect holes in the cloth as it passes thereby.

18. In a circular knitting machine, having a knittingcylinder, hole detecting mechanism including-an expander ring approximating the diameter of said cylinder engaging the.

inner face of the cloth, a support outside the cloth and forming with said expander ring a guide through which the cloth passes, an arcuate member mounted on said support and movable relative thereto into and out of operative position, a series of resilientelements depending from said arcuate member to a point opposite said ring and spaced to engage between successive adjacent cylinder needle wales, said resilient members functioning as feelers to detect holes in the cloth as it passes thereby, and an electric circuit connecting said expander ring and said elements, and a signal in said circuit operable by said elements upon detection of a hole in the fabric.

19. In a circular knitting machine having a knitting cylinder, hole detecting mechanism including an expander ring approximating any position to which it may be moved, said resilient members functioning as feelers to detect holes in the cloth as it passes thereby, and an electric circuit connecting said expander ring and said elements, and a signal in said circuit operable by said elements upon detection of a' hole in the fabric.'

20. In a circular knitting machine, having a knitting cylinder, hole detecting mechanism including an expander ring approximating the diameter of said cylinder engaging the inner face of the cloth, a support outside the cloth and forming with said expander ring a guide through which the cloth passes, an arcuate member mounted on said support and movable" relative thereto into an out of operative position, a series of resilient elements depending from said arcuate member to a point opposite said ring and spaced to engage between successive adjacent cylinder needle wales, and holding means for said arcuate member.efiective to retain same in any position to which it may be moved, said resilient members functioning as feelers to detect holes in the cloth as it cessive adjacent cylinder needle wales, and

holding means for said arcuate support effective to retain same in any position to which it may be moved, saidholding means comprising an abutment fixed to the machine and a spring mounted on said arcuate support and engageable with said abutment.

22. In a circular knittin machine, hole detecting mechanism including an expander ring engaging the inner face of the cloth, a support outside of the cloth and forming with said ring, a guide through which the cloth passes, an arcuate member mounted on said support and movable into and out of operative position relative thereto, a series of resilient elements depending from said member and spacedto engage between successive adjacent cylinder needle wales, holding means for said arcuate member, said holding means comprising an abutment fixed to the support, and a spring mounted on said arcuate member and 'engageable with said abutment.

23. In a circular knltting machine, hole detecting mechanism including an expander ring engaging the inner face of the cloth,-an arcuate support outside of the cloth movable into and out of operative position, a series of resilient elements dep'endin' from said support and spaced to engage tween successive adjacent cylinder needle wales, holding means comprising an abutment fixed to the machine, and a spring mounted on said arcuate support and engageable with said abutment, an electric circuit connecting said ring and said elements, said spring forming part of said circuit.

24. In a circular knitting machine, hole detecting mechanism including an expander ring engaging the inner face of the cloth, an arcuate support outside the cloth movable into and out of an operative position, a series mg means for said arcuate support, said holdof resilient elements depending from said support and spaced to engage between successive adjacent cylinder needle wales, and holding means for said arcuate support efi'ective to retain same in any position to which it may be moved, said holding means comprising an abutment fixed to the machine and a spring mounted on said arcuate support and engageable with said abutment, an electric circuit connecting said ring and said elements, said holding means forming a part of said circuit. 25. In a circular knit-ting machine, hole detecting mechanism including an expander ring engaging the inner face of the cloth, a support outside the cloth and forming with said expander ring a guide through which the cloth passes, an arcuate member mounted on said support and movable relative thereto into and out of operative position, a series of resilie ent elements depending from said arcuate member and spaced to engage between successive adjacent cylinder needle wales, and holding means for said arcuate member eifective to retain same in any position to which it may be moved, said resilient members functioning as feelers to detect holes in the cloth as it passes thereby, said holding means comprising an abutment on said support and a spring mounted on said arcuate member and engageable with said abutment, an electric circuit connecting said ring and said elements, said holding means forming a part of said circuit.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

ROBERT G. JENNINGS. 

